The "Rockers on Broadway" concert returned this year with the latest edition – "Rockers on Broadway Salutes Motown" at BB King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42nd Street) on Monday, October 22 at 8PM.
Returning as host was actress/comedian Caroline Rhea (TV's "The Biggest Loser") who shared the stage with a line of legendary rockers and some of the biggest names working on Broadway today. The evening, directed by Jersey Boys cast member Donnie Kehr and choreographed by Wayne Cilento (Wicked) and Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys) feature performances by legends Darlene Love (Hairspray) and La La Brooks (Hair), Micky Dolenz from The Monkees, the "original pop princess" Deborah Gibson, singer songwriter Kate Taylor, from Jersey Boys – J. Robert Spencer and 2006 Tony winner Christian Hoff, Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens), Grammy nominated Tevin Campbell (Hairspray), Tony nominee Daphne Rubin Vega (Rent) , Krisha Marcano (The Color Purple), Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling, Renee Elise Goldsberry (The Color Purple, The Lion King), Will Chase (High Fidelity, The Full Monty), Michael Lanning (The Civil War, Trans Siberian Orchestra), Kris Coleman (Jersey Boys), John Eric Parker (All Shook Up, Rent) and Anika Ellis (The Color Purple, Sweet Charity).
This edition of "Rockers on Broadway" also included a special appearance by the legendary Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland ("Heat Wave", "How Sweet It Is", "Where Did Our Love Go?") joined by Broadway vet, writer Rupert Holmes (Curtains), who are currently collaborators on the new musical The First Wives Club.
Rockers on Broadway was founded by Donnie Kehr in 1993 during the Broadway run of The Who's Tommy, in which he appeared. Inspired by an idea from Pete Townshend, he wanted to give musical theatre performers the opportunity to experience the feeling of singing with a rock band in a concert style venue, so they could understand and transfer the rawness of that edge to the stage. For more info visit www.rockersonbroadway.com.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE "ROCKERS ON BROADWAY" IN CONCERT!
Photos by Linda Lenzi
Donnie Kehr
Donnie Kehr and Michael Longoria
Daphne Rubin Vega
Frank Conway and Daphne Rubin Vega
Rupert Holmes and Donnie Kehr
Deborah Gibson
Donnie Kehr and Myles Mancuso
Tyrick Jones, Dominic Nolfi, Tommar Wilson, Michael Longoria and Travis Cloer
Greg Reuter, Thomas Cannizzaro, Clarke Thorell and Mitchell Jarvis
Daphne Rubin Vega and John Eric Patrick
Jackie Martling, Michael Lanning and J. Robert Spencer
Miles Johnson, Darlene Love, John Eric Patrick and C.E. Smith
Tyrick Jones, Dominic Nolfi, Michael Longoria, Travis Cloer and Tommar Wilson
Christian Hoff, Mike Kehr and Donnie Kehr
Myles Mancuso and Genesis Velazquez
Daphne Rubin Vega, Randy Jones, Caroline Rhea, Christian Hoff and J. Robert Spencer
Caroline Rhea and Christian Hoff
Michael Lanning, Jamie DeRoy and Larry Gatlin
Randy Jones and Daphne Rubin Vega
Will Chase and Caroline Rhea
The Who's Tommy reunion Clarke Thorell, Donnie Kehr and Christian Hoff
Tommar Wilson, Dominic Nolfi, Deborah Gibson, Travis Cloer and Michael Longoria
Kris Coleman, Ashanti J'Aria and Destan Owens
Cori Gardner, Caroline Rhea and Jeremy Schonfeld
Cori Gardner, Caroline Rhea, Jeremy Schonfeld and Donnie Kehr
Donnie Kehr, Bobby McGuire, Randy Jones and Frank Conway
Christine Ebersole and Donnie Kehr
Christine Ebersole and Russ Titelman
Christine Ebersole
Donnie Kehr, Michael Lanning and Micky Dolenz
Travis Cloer, Jackie Martling and Dominic Nolfi
Jeremy Schonfeld and Jay Leslie
Darlene Love and Jay Leslie
Anika Ellis, Renee Elise Goldsberry and Krisha Marcano
Gabrielle Porter, Eliseo Roman and Michelle Kinney
Michael Lanning, Beth Sheinis, Donnie Kehr, Cousin Bruce Morrow
La La Brooks, Deborah Gibson, Cousin Bruce Morrow, Kate Taylor and Darlene Love
La La Brooks, Cousin Bruce Morrow and Darlene Love
Dennis Stowe and Michael McElroy
Daphne Rubin Vega and Destan Owens
Christian Hoff and Deborah Gibson
Tyrick Jones, Christian Hoff, Deborah Gibson, Michael Longoria, Travis Cloer, Dominic Nolfi and Tommar Wilson
Christian Hoff and J. Robert Spencer at "Rockers on Broadway" after finishing a performance at Carnegie Hall with the Young Peoples' Chorus at The New York Pops
Christian Hoff, Myles Mancuso and J. Robert Spencer
Kate Taylor and Jeremy Schonfeld
Rupert Holmes and Donnie Kehr
Deborah Gibson, Caroline Rhea, Clarke Thorell
Jackie Martling, Daphne Rubin Vega and Micky Dolenz
Jeremy Schonfeld and Michael Lanning
Mitchell Jarvis, Deborah Gibson and Greg Reuter
Darlene Love and Deborah Gibson
Michael Longoria and Kelly Divine
Micky Dolenz and Clarke Thorell
Kris Coleman, Micky Dolenz and Cousin Bruce Morrow
Caroline Rhea and Daphne Rubin Vega
Joshua Henry, Monroe Kent and Kris Coleman
Joshua Henry, Daphne Rubin Vega, Monroe Kent and Kris Coleman
Joshua Henry, Yolanda Culler, Monroe Kent and Kris Coleman
